~tildeWorms  worm compost (or worm castings), live worms, freeze dried worms for animal feed, and worm habitat boxes for garden beds are available for sale.  All products can be picked up at my warehouse store in the Sacramento region or can be delivered with shipping/transport charges.

 

My worm composts are fed with organic waste feed and bedding made from wood chips and cardboard. The feed are leftover food products from grocery stores. This system produces the greatest number of nematodes in my worm compost.   The stock worm compost is preserved in a controlled environment and fed with liquid bacterial shower to keep the nematodes alive, so that the compost will still be active the on the day you buy it.

 

Growing worms fed using leftover products help reduce organic waste to the landfill and reduce methane that is harmful to the ozone layer. Methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more toxic than carbon dioxide. With buying worm compost grown from food waste you help in the reduction of the Global Earth Warming process, hence less heat waves and torrential rains.

 

Here is a TedX video of the importance of worm composting – Vermicomposting: How worms can reduce our waste – Matthew Ross

Worm castings, also known as vermicompost, is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that is produced by the activity of worms. Here are some benefits of worm compost:

 

• Worm compost is an excellent source of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also contains a range of microorganisms that help improve soil health.
• Worm castings helps to improve soil structure by increasing its ability to hold water and nutrients. This can lead to improved plant growth and yields.
• Worm composting is an eco-friendly way to reduce waste. It allows organic matter such as food scraps and yard waste to be recycled into a valuable fertilizer instead of ending up in a landfill.
• Saves money by using less fertilizer (and application frequency) you save money with worm compost.
•  Worm compost is a safe and natural alternative to chemical fertilizers that can  not harm the environment.

 Here are the top worm compost sellers – Top 10 Best Compost Worms in Sacramento, CA  – Yelp

Overall, worm castings are a great way to improve soil health and promote sustainable gardening practices.

 

There have been many scientific studies on worm composting and its benefits. Here are some findings from peer-reviewed research:

• A study published in the Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science found that the application of worm compost significantly improved soil fertility and plant growth. The researchers found that worm compost increased the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and also increased the activity of soil microorganisms.
• Another study published in the journal Waste Management found that worm composting is an effective method for reducing organic waste and producing a valuable fertilizer. The researchers found that worm composting reduced the volume of food waste by up to 70%, and produced a worm casting / compost that was high in nutrients and low in heavy metals.
• A study published in the Journal of Environmental Management found that worm composting can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that worm composting reduced methane emissions from landfills by up to 80%, and also reduced the carbon footprint of waste management systems.
• A study published in the journal Soil Biology and Biochemistry found that worm composting can improve soil structure and water-holding capacity. The researchers found that worm compost increased the amount of stable soil aggregates, which improved soil structure and water infiltration.

 

Overall, these studies and others provide strong evidence for the benefits of worm composting for soil health, waste reduction, and environmental sustainability.

 

Worm compost, also known as vermicompost, can be used in a variety of ways to improve soil health and promote plant growth. Here are some common methods of using worm compost:

• Soil amendment: Worm casting can be mixed into soil to improve its nutrient content, water-holding capacity, and overall structure. It can be applied as a top dressing or tilled into the soil before planting.
• Potting soil: Worm compost can be mixed into potting soil to improve its texture and nutrient content. This can help plants grow better in containers.
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• Compost tea: Worm compost can be used to make compost tea, which is a liquid fertilizer that can be sprayed on plants. Compost tea provides a concentrated dose of nutrients and microorganisms that can help plants grow.
•  Check out the science of what’s behind a compost tea in tildeWorms, as they unravel why you should use tea, not compost in your soil amendments – 
  

  Compost Tea Or Worm Compost ? Which Is More Effective?Seed starting: Worm castings can be used as a seed starting mix to provide young plants with a nutritious and well-draining growing medium.
  

• Lawn care: Worm compost can be applied to lawns to improve soil health and promote healthy grass growth.

It’s important to note that worm compost is a concentrated fertilizer, so it’s best to use it sparingly and follow the recommended application rates. Too much can cause plant damage or even burn plants due to high nutrient content.

Nematodes are a type of microscopic roundworm that can be either beneficial or harmful to plants, depending on the species. Some nematodes are beneficial because they help to control pests and improve soil health. Others, however, can be harmful to plants by feeding on their roots or transmitting plant diseases.

Worm compost can have an impact on nematodes in several ways:

• Beneficial nematodes: Worm castings can provide a habitat for beneficial nematodes, which can help to control harmful pests. Beneficial nematodes are natural predators of soil-dwelling pests such as grubs, weevils, and root maggots. By creating a healthy soil environment with worm compost, you can encourage the growth of beneficial nematodes and reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
• Harmful nematodes: While worm compost can support the growth of beneficial nematodes, it can also attract harmful nematodes. Some species of harmful nematodes, such as root-knot nematodes, can feed on plant roots and cause significant damage. If worm compost is contaminated with harmful nematodes, it can spread the pests to your plants and cause problems.

 

To minimize the risk of harmful nematodes, it’s important to use high-quality worm compost that has been properly processed and tested for contaminants. It’s also important to rotate crops and use a variety of plant species to reduce the build-up of harmful nematodes in the soil.

 

• Worms habituate to the bedding or soil they grow in through a variety of factors, including:
• pH: Worms prefer a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If the pH of the bedding or soil is too high or too low, it can stress the worms and make them less productive.
• Moisture: As I mentioned earlier, worms need a moist environment to survive, so the bedding or soil should be kept damp but not too wet. If the bedding or soil is too dry, worms will become inactive and may even die.
• Oxygen: Worms need oxygen to breathe, so the bedding or soil should be well-aerated. This can be achieved by adding a coarse material such as shredded paper or straw to the bedding, or by adding aeration tubes to the worm bin.
• Temperature: Worms prefer temperatures between 55-77°F (13-25°C), so the bedding or soil should be kept within this range. If the temperature is too high or too low, it can stress the worms and make them less productive.
• Bedding material: The bedding material used for the worms should be made of organic matter such as shredded newspaper, cardboard, or leaves. This material should be free of any harmful chemicals or toxins that could harm the worms or the castings they produce.

By providing the right conditions, worms will thrive and produce high-quality compost. As the worms habituate to their bedding or soil, they will become more productive and efficient in breaking down organic matter and creating nutrient-rich compost.

Worms habituate to soil in much the same way as they habituate to bedding material in a worm bin. The conditions that worms prefer in soil are:

• Soil structure: Worms prefer soil that is loose and well-draining, with plenty of air spaces. If the soil is compacted or has poor drainage, worms will struggle to move through it and may not survive.
• Moisture: As I mentioned earlier, worms need a moist environment to survive, so the soil should be kept damp but not too wet. If the soil is too dry, worms will become inactive and may even die.
• pH: Worms prefer a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If the soil pH is too high or too low, it can stress the worms and make them less productive.
• Organic matter: Worms feed on organic matter in the soil, such as decaying plant material and microorganisms. So, soil that is rich in organic matter will be more attractive to worms.
• Temperature: Worms prefer temperatures between 55-77°F (13-25°C), so the soil should be kept within this range. If the temperature is too high or too low, it can stress the worms and make them less productive.

Overall, worms habituate to soil by seeking out the ideal conditions for their survival and reproduction. By creating a soil environment that is conducive to worm activity, you can encourage the growth of a healthy worm population and improve soil health. This, in turn, can lead to increased plant growth and productivity.

You can buy worm composts on my store – Taking Pledges/Reservations for 1 Ton Worm bags – itsSOwonderful.com